Big Security Update For Whatsapp Users: Protect Your Whatsapp Chats With Fingerprint Lock, Face ID

In one of the biggest updates leaked for Android users Whatsapp will soon roll out a feature to protect chats and entire Whatsapp using fingerprint lock.

When will these updates launch?

Keep reading to find out more!

Whatsapp’s New Security Features

Whatsapp specific blog WABetaInfo has released screenshots which reveal that some big security updates are coming soon to both iOS and Android users of Whatsapp.

Three interesting security related updates are: Introduction of Face ID, Touch ID and Fingerprint lock for accessing and protecting your Whatsapp chats.

While Face ID and Touch ID are specific for iPhone users, Fingerprint lock will be for Android users, whose smartphones support fingerprint lock mechanism.

Whatsapp had started development related to Face ID for iPhone users in the month of October, which will be an advanced version of Touch ID: iPhone users can now unlock the Whatsapp using their face ID protection.

This is still in the development stage as of now.

Now, WABetaInfo has revealed that Android users too will get a new security update: Fingerprint Lock.

Fingerprint Lock for Android Whatsapp Users: How Will It Work?

The new security development is related with Android users, and focuses on using the device’s fingerprint scanner to unlock the Whatsapp platform.

This is how it will work:

• Activate the Fingerprint Lock option via settings (Privacy > Authentication)
• Once activated, the user will be able to open their Whatsapp via Fingerprint authentication
• Users can access Whatsapp both way: Clicking on notifications and opening the actual app. Both time, the user will be asked to authenticate via fingerprint scanner
• PIN based verification will also exist, side by side. It is not clear whether both fingerprint and PIN based verifications can co-exist at the same time or not.
• This fingerprint verification shall be only available to those Android users who have a smartphone with fingerprint scanner and run Android Marshmallow software or latest Android version.

WhatsApp 2.19.3 Beta Version

These new security features are part of WhatsApp 2.19.3 beta version, which is under development as of now.

Once released, WhatsApp 2.19.3 beta version will have these security features for both Android and iPhone users. While FaceID (and Touch ID) will be for Android users, Fingerprint lock will be for Android users.

We will keep you updated as more details come in.